Wednesday, November 24, 2010

With Thanks

Yesterday a flock of birds stopped in the tree by our garage. Cedar waxwings? They were high up, and back lit. They made short, sweet whistles, a tst tst tst. I am glad I was there to see them stop in our tree, so thankful to have heard them.

I am thankful for rest, and comfort, for warmth, peace. I am thankful for home, our shelter, and the base from where we can launch our dreams.

I am thankful for the laughter we share, for things we have in common, and the unique things we bring to the mix. I am thankful for love, for my husband, my children.

I am thankful for our good health. I am thankful for what we have learned, where we have been, and for our hopes, for where we may go.

1978
Natalie, tia Rosario, Hans, Abuela Antonia, prima RosaMaria.
Las Tinajas, El Valle.
I am thankful for memories, and heritage, for cool water at the end of long walks. I am thankful for familia.

I am thankful for friends. I am thankful for our community. I am thankful for our neighbors. I am thankful for the kindness of strangers, the friends I have not met yet. I am thankful for the friends I have met here, at Chickenblog.

I am thankful for robots. Real and imagined. I am thankful for God, and science, for math, art, music, inspiration, glitter, glue, and curiosity.

I am thankful for joy... the plentiful joy that inspires smiles and love, and makes each day good. I am thankful for the parts of life and people in our lives that brought us here, to this place and time, where we can reflect and give thanks. Life is messy, and funny, and hard, and beautiful, it knocks me down, makes me cry, it lifts me up and pushes me forward, it is good.

I am thankful for emotional expression, and smiling back at happy pictures.

Followers

Chirp-Chirp-Chirp BirdHouse Notes

I'd like to buy the world a heating pad. This is my current obsession. Thank you, Mahshid. She came over, gave me support and tools for healing, and she advised me to use a heating pad. My Mom bought one for me... and it's been amazing. It covers my back, and has flaps that drape over my shoulders. I use it on the low setting, and even though I haven't felt particularly "cold," the warmth is relaxing, calming, comforting, good. I suspect it may be one of those "obvious" things that I am lately discovering, but in case you don't know: Use a heating pad.

December 18,2018

8:57 am

I drove today. It was to test drive a 2018 Honda Odyssey. Guess what... they're space age fancy and smell like power. I skipped the freeway and just took it around the block. Honestly, I'm not exactly ready for primetime. And all day long as we compared the pros and cons of mini-vans, trucks, foreign, or domestic... my brain kept interjecting, "Let's just drive JettPuff a few more years." But that is not an option.

December 15, 2018

9:05 pm

“Keep a record of your injuries, and pain.” For the record, the pain tonight is awful. Left arm: hurts. Right shoulder: frozen in pain. Abdomen: twingy, tender. Neck and jaw: sore, tense. Still having headaches. My best progress: Accepting, and seeking help. Also hard: Canceling some of our holiday plans.

December 12, 2018

11:10 pm

I don’t know what to do with myself. Resting makes me stiff and feeling useless. Being “useful” makes me tired, woozy... sometimes words hang in mid-air, just out of reach. I find new bruises. The accident replays in my mind. I’m sad, and starting to feel mad... she destroyed things, plans, peace of mind. I’ll post this here... temporary. I’ll be glad to move on.

December 9, 2018

All of my wisdom about “relaxing...” well, it may have done some good, up to a point. I had a better and better day and felt even more buoyed after a lunch treat with Paul and Janece. But. But I went to the market for bread to go with the soup I made (I’m rambling, I know. Bear with me.) To the point: Another driver turned into my lane and because she did it from a right turn, I never had an inkling of her being in my view. It was a horrifying head-on collision. I doubt either of us even braked. In no time I had a clear road, in both directions and then just her car hurling into my poor Jett Puff. Air bag. Ambulance. It’s a long story. And maybe I’m looking for silver linings, but I like to think my car made a last heroic act, and my last sensation, before disaster, was... I’m happy, relaxed. I’m also concussed, so if none of this makes sense... well, there you go.

Out To Lunch :: I am so lucky!

December 6, 2018

12:27 pm

Confession: I am making myself miserable worrying about my utter lack of "professionalism." Tonight I will be attending a holiday party for "Art Leaders" in San Diego. Leaders. Art Leaders! This feels so portentous and full of opportunities, but I am struggling with imposter syndrome, rusty skills, and no business cards. Also, I put some art (ok just 1 print) on a selling site, and again, I am plagued with nameless dread and doubt. My dreams and hopes do not match my confidence and nerve.

December 5, 2018

11:53 am

It rained and rained and rained. The garden is happy. The goats are dismayed. All is well.